Cinder disposal apparatus



- GINDER DIsPosAL APPARATUS Filed July 11, 50

2 Sheets-Sheet l Qdi/5.

Feb.,1z, 1935. R M CROSBYa 1,990,726

C INDER DI SPOSAL APPARATUS Filed July 1l, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. V12, 1935v i UNITED STATES,

ArsNr OFFICE CINDEB DISPOSAL APPARATUS Richard M. Crosby, Seattle, Wash. Application July 11, 19340, serial No. 467,235 3 claims. (ol. 11o-5o) My invention relates to cinder disposal apparatus as applied to the smoke box of a steam locomotive and more particularly toa cinder disposal device which may be associated with a spark arrester for conveying the cinders deposited therein to the ash pit or fire box of the locomotive.

An object of my'invention is to provide a cinder disposal device of the above character whichV is of durable construction and can be quickly and easily attached to any type of locomotive.

' Another object of my invention is theprovision of a combination neutralizer terminating within the forward end of a conveyor forming a part of the cinder disposal apparatus which, through the agency of exhaust steam, live steam or blower steam connected thereto functions duringv various running conditions of the locomotive to provide positive means for the disposal of cinders from the smoke box of the locomotive to the re box of the same.

Another object of my invention is the provision vof exhaust steam connections from the exhaust cavities of the locomotive cylinders to the neutralizer. This exhaust steam when the locomotivev is operating passes through the neutralizer and discharges into the conveyor simultaneously with the passage of the exhaust steam through the exhaust nozzle in the smoke box to 30 overcome any partial vacuum which may be created in that portion of the conveyor leading from the smoke box due to this exhaust nozzle discharge thus assuring a positive deliveryjof cinders through the conveyor to the I'lre box.

A further object of my invention is the pro'- vision of .a live steam connection to the neutralizer in combination with the exhaust steam con# nections which functions to discharge steam through a combining tube forming a portion of 40 the neutralizer into thev same, to overcome any partial vacuum which may exist in that portion of the conveyor leading from the smoke box when the locomotive is working with a light throttle or running slowly. i

A still further object of my invention is the provision of openings in an end plate supporting the neutralizer at the forward end of the conveyor for the admission of air around the nozzle Y' charge of the live steam through the nozzle of VtheV neutralizer to induce air through the openings Another object of my invention is the provision of a steam blower connection to the neutralizer and discharging therein through the combining tube of the same simultaneously with the discharge of the blower steam in the exhaust nozzle in the smoke box to eliminate any partial vacuum which may exist in that portion of the conveyor leadingfrom the smoke box and also produce an injector effect to induce air through the openings in the forward end of the conveyor while the locomotive is standing still.

The aboveobjects of my invention as well as others not `particularly pointed out abovewill be more fully hereinafter described and for a more complete understanding of my invention Vreference may be hadto the accompanying drawings inVV which like reference characters'in the several views denote like parts and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation 'of a steam locomotive showing the cinder disposal apparatus of my invention connected thereto;

Fig. 2 is an elevation partly in section of the smoke box oi a locomotive clearly'showing the method ofassociating the cinder disposal apparatus 'of my invention to the same;

Fig.r3 isa plan'view of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view along the line 4 4 of Fig. v3 to clearly illustrate the combined neutralizer forming a portion of the cinder disposal apparatus, and

Fig. 5 is a sectional View along the line 5--5 of Fig.v 4 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a steam locomotive to which my invention is .applicable is shown in elevation and comprises in general the fire box A, the boiler B, the steam dome C whichl also contains the usual throttle valve for the admission of steam into the usual'pipe lines connected to the cylinders D. Thesmoke box E, which also contains the exhaust nozzle N, comprises a 'compartment positioned forward of the boiler B and. is shown equipped with a spark arrester F of the typeknown as a cyclone arrester and for the purpose of illustrating and describing the operation of the cinder disposal device of my invention I have shown the same applied to a smoke box thus equipped.

The cinder disposal device of my invention as illustrated in Fig. 1 is indicated generally by the Vso reference character G and comprises in general a cinder conveyor H having its one end terminating in the arrester F and its other end terminating in the re box A of the locomotive. A neutralizer J associated with the cinder conveyor H is provided with connections leading from the exhaust cavities O of the cylinders D, the steam blower line K and a branch L extending from the steam line leading to the cylinders. These steam connections in combination with the neutralizer J provide means for positively conveying cinders from the arrester F through the conveyor H to the fire box A as will be hereinafter pointed out.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a substantial portion of the smoke box E of the usual type positioned forward of the boiler head 2 which with the upper and lower shell plates 3 and 4 and the headv or cover 5 of the locomotive form the walls of the same. The exhaust nozzle N which receives the exhaust steam from the cylinders D of the locomotive terminates in the smoke box E and supports at its upper end 7 a cyclone ltype of arrester F, the tipV 7 of the same terminating within the arrester F, This type of arrester comprises a cylindrical chamber 8 provided with an intake opening 9 and an outlet in the form of a cylindrical stack 10- depending from 'the top plate of the arrester into the interior of the same and in turn suitably connected with thel external stack 12 of the locomotive.

When the locomotive is moving, exhaust steam from the exhaust steam cavities O of the cylinders DV will be intermittently delivered to the exhaust nozzle N and this exhaust steam, as is Well understood, creates a draft in the re box A which causes the products of combustion to enter the flues of the boiler and pass into the smoke box- E. These products of combustion Which includesmoke, gases and cinders 'are thus drawn into the mouth orl intake opening 9 of the arrester F and pass therethough to the external stack 12. The cinders which form a portion of these combustion products that are not discharged through the stack, drop to the bottom of the arrester into a. suitable pocket formed in the bottom of the same. The cinders thus deposited may be removed from the front end of the locomotive from time to time by removing the front plate or head 5 of the same.

. 'I'he structure thus far' described in itself forms no part of the present invention, except in so far as it may cooperate withv the subject matter hereinafter described.

It is to this end that I have devised the cinder disposal apparatus in the arrester whereby the cinders may be carried from the same to the fire boxAthrough a suitable conveyor pipe or tube H and. in combination with the neutralizer J which'is connected to the exhaust steam cavities O of the locomotive cylinders D, the live steam line, and steam blower line positively affect the the disposal of the cinders from the cyclone F.

Referring particularly to the conveyor pipe H through which the cinders are delivered to the re box A, it comprises anV angularly disposed section of tubing 14 of suitable size, the upper end l5 of which terminates in the bottom of the arrester F, and forms the intake of the conveyor H. This angularly disposed section of tubing 14 extends downwardly and rearwardly at a suitable angle through the bottom of the smoke box and terminates in a horizontally disposed section of tubing 16 near the forward end of the same. This horizontal-section of tubing 16 is positioned exteriorly of the.' locomotive immediately under the belly of the boiler shell and is suitably supported. The section 16 extends rearwardly and terminates in the re box A just beneath the arch therein.

The forward end 17 of the horizontal section 16 is closed by a suitable plate 18 having threaded engagement With the bore of the same and carries the neutralizer J. 'Ihe neutralizer J comprises in part a tubular member 19, the exteriorly threaded end 19a of which is threaded into a central orifice 2.0 in the plate 18. A.- nozzle 21 having its one end threaded in the bore 22 of the member 19 extends rearwardly into the horizontal section 16 and terminates at the opening 23 formed bythe junction of the anffularly disposed section 14 and the horizontal section 16 of the conveyor H. The member 19 is provided with a laterali branch 24 disposed at an angle of 45 and has connected thereto a pipe 25 provided with branch extensions 26 and 27 which are connected respectively to the exhaust steam cavities O of the right and left hand cylinders D of the locomotive. A portion of the exhaust steam from the exhaust cavities O when the locomotive is running will be intermittently delivered through the branch pipe extensions 26 and 2'?, the pipe 25 into the bore 22 of the member 19 and discharged through the nozzle 21 in he immediate vicinity of the opening 23.

In addition to the exhaust steam connections from the exhaust cavities O as just described, the steam blower line K and a branch L from the steam line 30 leading to the cylinders D are also connected to the neutralizer J. The steam blower line K, which is controlled from the cab of the locomotive is for the usual purpose of creating an induced draft when the locomotive is shut oil or when ring up, as is well understood. The steam blower line K is tapped by a branch 31 extending from a T-tting 32 conveniently inserted in the steam blower line K and has inserted therein a suitable check valve 33. The steam line 30 leading from the steam dome C is conveniently tapped as at the point 34 and a branch 35 extending therefrom has inserted therein a suitable check valve 36. The outlets of the respective valves 33 and 36 are connected tc a pipe line 37 through the medium of a suitable T-tting 38 which terminatesY in a combining tube 39 secured in the leg 40 of the l member 19 of the neutralizer J.

The combining tube 39 comprises a body 40a having externally threaded portions 41 and 42 located to the left and right of an intermediate hexagonally shaped enlargement onV its outer wall adapted to be received within the head of a wrench. The externally threaded portion 42 of the body 40 is received in the internally threaded end portion of the bore 22 in the member 19. The externally threaded portion 41 of the body 40 is adapted to receive a clamping nut 43 for securing the pipe 37 leading from the live steam and steam blower connections to the intake end of the combining tube 39. A central bore 45 through the combining tube 39 is reduced at its nozzle end 46 to form a restricted opening 47 terminating within the bore 22 of the member 19 of the neutralizer J. Thisrestricted opening 47 discharges steam from they steam blower line K or the steam line L into the bore 22 of the member 19 and is for purposes as will presently be described.

Assuming that the locomotive is moving, the pistons are therefore reciprocating and exhaust steam from the exhaust cavities O of the cylinders D willbe intermittently delivered to the exhaust nozzle N in the smokev box E for creating the usual draft, as is :well understood. This exhaust steam passing through the exhaust noz- 'zle..tip 7 has a tendencyto create a reduced pressure or partial. vacuum in the spark arrester F Vand the angularly disposed section 14 of the conveyor H. Simultaneously with the intermittent delivery of exhaust steam to the exhaust nozzle N, exhaust steam from these exhaust cavities O of the cylinders D will also be delivered through the'pip'e extensions 26 and 27 and pipe 25 yand discharged through the nozzle 21 into the horizontal section 16 ofthe conveyor I-I-in the'vicinity ofthe opening 23.A The effect of this exhaust Ysteam as intermittently discharged l through the nozzle 21 overcomes any reduced box E through the angularly disposed Vand horit zontal'sections. ofthelconveyor to the nre box A into which the horizontal section terminates. The plate 18 secured'in the forward end of the horizontal section 16 is provided with a plurality'of orifices 50 suitably spaced therein which communicate. with the interior of the horizontal section 16 to permit the induction of a predetermined amount of air which assists in the movement of the cinders through the horizontal section 1,6k and also furnishes oxygen for supporting the combustion of the gases and partially burned cinders and also prevents the abrasive action of the cinders on the interior wall of the horizontal section of the conveyor. Thus the effect ofthe exhaust steam as discharged in the neutralizer eliminates any reduced pressure or partial vacuum in the spark arrester chamber and angularly disposed section 14 of thecons veyor H and the induction of air into the section 16 in combination with the suction created therein by the draft in the re box A provides a free passage for the cinders and gases back into the iire box A. Y

Under normal operating or speed conditions of the locomotive, the branches 26 and 27 from the exhaust cavities O of the cylinders D to the neutralizer are sufficient to function and properly neutralize any reduced pressure in the cinder conveyor section 14 as just described. However, the live steam line 30 to the cylinders D is tapped as before described and the extension 35' leading therefrom terminates in the combining tube 39 of the neutralizer and acts to overcome any reduced pressure o-rpartial vacuum created in the arrester F and the angular section 14 of the conveyor I-I between exhausts of the locomotive when the same is working with a light throttle or running slowly to insure a proper delivery of the cinders from the'arrester to the re box A. Due to the fact that the operation of a locomotive is so intermittent and changeable under varying conditions, I provide this live steam connection to insure the proper functioning of the cinder disposal apparatus under all workingV conditions of the locomotive. Also due to thearrangement of the nozzle end 46 of the combining tube 39 in the member 19 and its concentric position therein with relation to the nozzle 21, the steam Afrom the live steam connection discharging through this nozzle 46 expands in the member 19 and discharges through this nozzle 21 into' the horizontal conveyor section 16 at greatly reduced pressure. This discharge through thelnozzle 2l thus Vproduces an injector effect for the purpose of 'inducing air into the horizontal section 16 through the openings 50 to aid in the combustion of the partially burned gases and cinders and also prevent gases from the fire box A passing intothe conveyor section 16 between exhaust discharges when the engine is running slowly.

The steam blower line K is controlled from the cab of the locomotive and is ordinarily made use of when iiring the locomotive or when the same is standing still and is connected to the exhaust nozzle N to create a vacuum in the arrester F to produce a draft in the re box and a suction the cinder conveyor H. The branch 31 to the combining tube 39 also discharges steam through thenozzle 46 of the same which passes through the nozzle 2l and acts to overcome any reduced pressure or partial vacuum created by the steam blower in the arrester F and angular section 14 due to its discharge into the exhaust nozzle N, to permit the draft created in the re box A to function to provide a suction in the conveyor H for the proper disposal of cinders and gases from the arrester F. The steam discharging through the nozzle 46 also produces an injector effect to draw air into the horizontal section 16 through the orifices 50 in the plate 13 as already referred to.

From the above description it is apparent that the steam blower which is used when the locomotive is standing still and the live steam connection as used when the locomotive is working under certain conditions perform the same functions of overcoming any reduced pressure or partial vacuum at the intake throat of the conveyor H and produce an injector effect as before described. The pressures Vof these two lines are equal and the check valve 33 associated with the steam blower extension is open to steam from the steam blower line and closed to the steam line. The check valve 36 associated with the branch steam line is open to steam from this line but closed to steam from the steam blower line.

There is also a pipe extension 75 connected to the tip 7 ofthe exhaust nozzle N, the free end '76 of which extends into the angularly disposed section 14 of the conveyor H a predetermined distance. Upon each impulse of the exhaust from the exhaust cavities O, exhaust steam. is injected into the angularly disposed section 14 to create arpartial vacuum therein. This section 14 also simultaneously receives the effect of the exhaust through the neutralizer nozzle 21 and the suction in the conveyor due to the draft in the re box A materially assists in the disposal of the cinders through the conveyor to the fire box.

While I have illustrated Vand described the cinder disposal device in connection with what is known as a cyclone type of arrester positioned in the smoke box of a locomotive, it is to be understood that this method of conveying cinders is not limited to any particular spark arresting device as it is applicable to various types of arresters, such as the surface or bottom types.

1 have also shown the extensions extending from the exhaust cavities O of the locomotive cylinders D connected to a particular portion of thecavities. This connection, however, is only incidental since locomotives vary in design and construction and these connections are therefore CTI made to the exhaust cavities where most convenient. The live steam branch connection may also be made to the steamline at the most convenient place.

The cinder conveyor H as illustrated is positioned along the outside cf the boiler shell but dueV to the various types of locomotives, the location of the conveyor H varies.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred form of cinder disposal apparatus, changes and modications will readily suggest themselves by those skilled in the art and I therefore aim to cover all such changes and mcdiiications as come Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I do not restrict myself to any unessential particulars, but what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination with a locomotive having exhaust steam cavities, of a cinder disposal device having air inlet openings, said locomotive having a smoke box and a fire box and said cinder disposal device carrying cinders from the smoke box to the fire box and including a neutralizing member for smoothing out the pulsations in flow of exhaust steam conveyed thereto from the exhaust steam cavities, means for introducing live steam into said neutralizing member, and means for discharging the live and exhaust steam from said neutralizing member into said conveyor tube in the form of a jet to insure a positive disposal of cinders therethrough and to cause a flow of 3. A combustion products disposal apparatus comprising a conveyor tube having an intake end and a discharge end, a compressed-fluid-injector at said intake, another such injector spaced at a distance from said first injector and adapted to induce air into said tube, manually operable means controlling the admission of compressed fluid to said second injector, and pressure responsive valves also controlling admission of compressed fiuid to said second injector.

RICHARD M. CROSBY. 

